Thursday, August 04, 2011

unshine, golf, beaches, blue skies… this is the way of the BermudaIslands…and Golf Zoo’s Carribean sales manager, Shelley Quinn was lucky enough to spend time in June playing all of the courses and visiting a variety of Hotels.

With a perfect climate for golf from April through November, Bermuda is a hidden jewel high in the Caribbean.

Bermuda offers a distinct British feel (get ready to drive on the left & look both ways before crossing the street!!), and some old, established courses; golf in Bermuda is an experience that you don’t get elsewhere.

There are 9 great courses to choose from in this small grouping of Islands…the highest concentration of golfing opportunities per square mile anywhere in the world!

Let's start with the oldest private club in the Island, Riddle’s Bay. Now open to the public, this course still retains the ‘old British’ feel, and boasts stunning views over the ocean, and has undergone numerous transformations over the years. Located towards the mid to western end of the Island, this course meanders along a narrow peninsula, surrounded by the azure blue ocean.

Close by is Belmont Hills, another understated but highly enjoyable & challenging course, with exceptional views along the back 9, bunkered with fast, multi-tiered greens. Open for golf since 1907, the course has undergone many changes, with a major overhaul and redesign in 2002.

Port Royal Golf Club is one of Bermudas finest public courses, and host for the 3rd consecutive year to the PGA Grand Slam of Golf in October. This Trent Jones course has also undergone extensive renovations, with new tees, bunkers and greens just a part of the redesign. With stunning views over the Ocean on several holes, this was my favorite course in Bermuda.

When you’re ready for a shorter golf-day (maybe some afternoon beach time), the Fairmont Southampton boasts one of the finest par 3 courses in the world, featured by Golf Digest as one of the best places to play golf in 2002. This is a tough course, and those who think that it will be a bore will be very surprised by the challenging layout and superb views.

Two of the oldest and most renouned courses lie side by side in the TuckersTown. The Mid Ocean Club was built in 1921 by architect Charles Blair Macdonald and renovated in the 1950’s has been on the PGA tour and obtained a ranking in the top 50 courses in the world outside of the US.

The nearby Tuckers Point course is one of the most scenic courses you will ever play, with all 18 holes offering spectacular views, and has been selected ini the tow 3 ‘Best golf resorts and best restaurants in the Caribbean’ by readers of Travel and Leisure golf. Following your round, make sure to visit the luxurious clubhouse, where you can relax on the terrace overlooking the 18th hole, or have a cold beverage in the bar.

So many fantastic course, beaches, bars, restaurants and the scenic historic cites of Hamilton and St Georges (settled in 1612!!), Bermuda has something to offer all golfers, beach lovers and culture seekers.